Mesquite, Nevada – Senior Master Sergeant (USAF Ret) Walter John "Todd" Whiteford, 91, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021, at his home in Mesquite, Nevada. Todd was born on February 27, 1930, in Patton, Pennsylvania to William Lindsay and Angeline Benden Whiteford. He married Flora Hazel Gardner. They were married in the Deweyville LDS Chapel, in Deweyville, Utah on February 4, 1955.

Todd earned the nickname "Toad" in his youth, as he and his brothers were adept at hunting, fishing, and catching frogs to supplement their diet during the depression years. After their marriage, his new bride, Flora, refused to accept the moniker "Toad" and decided that Todd sounded better. From then on he was known to his friends as Todd.

Todd lived a long, happy, active life. Born into a large, Catholic family, he attended private Catholic elementary school and graduated from public Patton High School. Upon graduation, and following an older brother's example, Todd enlisted in the US Navy. Enlisting in the Navy in 1947, Todd received an assignment to the Oregon-City class heavy cruiser, USS Albany (CA-123) for the duration of his enlistment. Unfortunately for Todd, he was unable to avoid debilitating seasickness while at sea, so he finished his one-year stint as a sailor and returned to Patton, where he began work in a radiator shop. However, after having seen the world outside his hometown, Todd quickly became bored with the mundane work in Patton and enlisted in the US Air Force.

Todd met and married Flora Hazel Gardner in Ogden, Utah, while stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Davis County, Utah. Todd and Flora were married in Flora's hometown of Deweyville, and then they spent the next 55 years together. The week after Thanksgiving, nine months and a little over three weeks after their marriage, their son Curt was born.

Todd served 26 years in the Air Force until his retirement as a Senior Master Sergeant in 1973. During his career he served in the Strategic Air Command and the Tactical Air Command in assignments around the world. He brought home souvenirs from dozens upon dozens of countries on every continent but Antarctica. He served as an aircraft and engine mechanic, a crew chief, a line chief, and a maintenance instructor in several aircraft types in numerous squadrons but focused on the C-130 Hercules throughout his career.

After his retirement from the Air Force, Todd and Flora moved to Deweyville, Utah to build their retirement home. Unable to sit idle in retirement, Todd started work with the Morton-Thiokol Corporation in 1974 as a rocket technician in the environmental test section. He worked with rocket engines for 20 years until his wife Flora retired from the IRS. They then sold their home in Deweyville, bought a home in Mesquite, Nevada, and began touring the United States and Mexico in a 38-foot Itasca Class A motor home with the Itasca Travelers.

Todd was always busy with building, remodeling, and construction or mechanical repair of one form or another. He built his retirement home, helped remodel and upgrade Flora's childhood home for his in-laws, and helped with other projects around his adopted hometown of Deweyville. Todd also served his community as a member of the Deweyville Town Council.

Todd is preceded in death by his wife, Flora Gardner Whiteford (2010). He is survived by his son, Colonel (USA Ret) Curt Whiteford and his wife Carol Marshall Whiteford; grandchildren: Marissa (Alex) Argueta, Kelly Whiteford, Lisa (Jess) Daniels, Rick (Stephanie) Whiteford, Ryan (Laura) Whiteford, Darcy (Dallin) Rees, Chris Whiteford, Briana Whiteford; and twenty-five great-grandchildren.

Todd, living in Mesquite, Nevada since parking his motor home, succumbed to illness just four months short of his 92nd birthday.

The family wants to thank the LDS Deweyville Ward for their kind assistance and service.

As he wished, interment will be in the Deweyville, Utah Cemetery on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at 12:00 Noon, with a simple graveside service and military honors.